Phoenix Then and Now (Compact) (Then & Now Thunder Bay) [Paperback]

Paul Scharbach (Author), John H. Akers (Author)

Book Description

Series: Then & Now Thunder Bay | Publication Date: April 7, 2009

From the moment it became Arizona’s capital in 1912, Phoenix has enjoyed steady population growth and commercial expansion. Today, Phoenix still continues to expand, due to mass migration, and it has the distinction of being one of the fastest-growing areas in the country. Phoenix Then and Now looks at the development of the city, with historical photographs placed side-by-side with contemporary views of the same locations that reveal a vibrant city, benefiting from wave upon wave of Easterners seeking sunshine in a culturally rich, urban setting. Amazing pictorial history of Phoenix, and the surrounding areas, filled with archival photographs of key locations paired with specially commissioned photographs of the same scenes as they are today. See the Heard Building, used for the opening shot of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. One of Phoenix’s first sky scrapers, the building is now used for stores and offices. Featured landmarks include the San Carlos Hotel, the Monahan Building, and the Orpheum Theatre.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul Scharbach, a native of Phoenix, is a self-taught professional photographer with more than 25 years’ experience, specializing in the production of stock photographic images. Pictures of his hometown, Phoenix, have always been close to his heart.


John K. Akers is a native of Phoenix. He graduated from Arizona State University and spent nearly fifteen years exploring Arizona history. He is currently the curator of history at the Tempe Historical Museum in Tempe, Arizona.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Thunder Bay Press; Compact edition (April 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592239692
• ISBN-13: 978-1592239696
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 6.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,110,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating look at Phoenix metro area past and present, December 26, 2005

By 

James J. Lippard "skeptic" (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Phoenix Then and Now (Then & Now) (Hardcover)

Paul Scharbach (photographer) and John Akers (curator of history at the Tempe Historical Museum) have put together a remarkable collection of photographs of Phoenix "then" (late 19th, early 20th century) and "now" (the photos appear to all be 2004 or 2005). The "now" photographs are usually from approximately the same direction. The bulk of the collection is of downtown Phoenix, including key historical buildings and landmarks--the County Courthouse, state capital building, Carnegie Library, Luhr's building, Orpheum Theatre, Rosson House, Monroe School, etc. The book continues with Phoenix farther north (Central Avenue Dairy/Park Central Mall, Brophy College Preparatory, the Phoenix Indian School, Wrigley Mansion, Arizona Biltmore), goes (named for Gen. Winfield Scott, an early resident), and downtown Mesa.

The book was quite a pleasure to read and look at, filled with great photos and interesting little tidbits, such as Glendale's founding as a temperance colony, the wide influence of Dwight B. Heard, and the longevity of some local businesses (such as Sine Hardware in Glendale).

One minor error: the book attributes the 1992 purchase and current ownership of Wrigley Mansion to George A. Hormel (died 1946) rather than his descendant Geordie Hormel (a professional musician who has also funded UFO investigation).

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Enjoyable -, January 3, 2012

By 

Loyd E. Eskildson "Pragmatist" (Phoenix, AZ.) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Phoenix Then and Now (Compact) (Then & Now Thunder Bay) (Paperback)

I've lived in the Phoenix area for 41 years, and very much enjoyed 'Phoenix - Then and Now.' The photos showed old buildings (some from almost 100 years ago and a few of those have changed very little since then) and how the same locations look today. One could also note the names of the old businesses (eg. Arizona Saddle and Harness Emporium, Millinery), and it was also interesting to note how the building occupants had changed in some instances. The old cars, buses, streetcars, street lamps, and personal dress was also interesting.